| New Zealand Distinguished Service Decoration | |
|---|---|
 Obverse of the decoration | |
| Type | Medal for Meritorious Service |
| Awarded for | Distinguished military service, by regular, territorial and reserve members of the New Zealand Defence Force |
| Presented by | New Zealand |
| Eligibility | all members of the New Zealand Defence Force, or uniformed members of allied forces serving with the New Zealand Defence Force |
| Post-nominals | DSD |
| Status | Currently awarded |
| Established | 14 May 2007 |
| First award | 4 June 2007[1] |
| Final award | 31 December 2024 |
| Total | 133[2] |
 Ribbon of the medal | |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | New Zealand Antarctic Medal[3] |
| Next (lower) | British Empire Medal |
The New Zealand Distinguished Service Decoration (DSD) was instituted by Royal Warrant as a New Zealand Royal Honour in 2007 to recognise distinguished military service, by regular, territorial and reserve members of the New Zealand Defence Force.[4] Until 1995, this type of service was recognised by awards of the British Empire Medal (Military Division). After the change to a totally New Zealand Honours system in 1996, these Commonwealth awards were not available to be awarded to New Zealand military personnel.
- ^ "The Queen's Birthday Honours 2007". Scoop Independent News. Scoop Media. 4 June 2007. Retrieved 21 June 2011.
- ^ Medal Yearbook 2023. Honiton, Devon: Token. 2022. p. 548. ISBN 978-1-908828-63-7.
- ^ "THE WEARING OF MEDALS IN NEW ZEALAND TABLE – A GUIDE TO THE CORRECT ORDER OF WEAR". New Zealand Defence Force.
- ^ "The New Zealand Distinguished Service Decoration (SR 2007/116)". New Zealand Legislation: Regulations. Parliamentary Counsel Office. 25 May 2007. Retrieved 21 June 2011.